“I Already Have…”

By Barbie Morgan Sheffield

When I first gave my life to Christ, God delivered me from seventeen years of drug and alcohol addiction. Before that moment, I had what I often call a “misspent youth and a horribly misguided adulthood.” Yet, in His incredible mercy and love for me, the Lord saw fit to save me and forgive me.

I literally can still remember that day. I don’t remember the exact date, but I know it was sometime in October. I was standing in the living room of my little house on California Avenue in Riverside, California, looking out the big picture window that overlooked my small backyard while listening to the Christian television program that played in the background. 

It was fall, and the big old sweetgum tree that provided shade for the whole yard had begun dropping its leaves. They covered the ground beneath the tree in shades of brown and gold. 

As I listened to LaVerne Tripp give the “altar call,” I began to pray after him that old “sinner’s prayer,” and that day, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and everything changed. I felt the Holy Spirit come inside of me, and I instantly lifted my hands to heaven—and for the very first time in my life, I knew I had been forgiven.

The next morning, and every morning, I woke up feeling as though the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I know now that’s what sin does—it weighs us down with burdens we were never created to carry.

As I began attending a Bible-teaching church and reading God’s Word, the Scriptures came alive to me. But even though I knew I had been saved, memories from my past would still surface. And every single time a horrible memory would come flooding back, I would cry out, “Lord, forgive me.” And every single time—not occasionally, every time—He gently whispered to my heart, “I already have.”

At first, I thought those words were simply bringing comfort to my heart. But as I continued studying God’s Word, I realized He was speaking directly to me and saying the words I needed to hear most: “I already have forgiven you, Barbie.” Those words were also reminding me that God always keeps His promises, and I can trust Him.

In 1 John 1:9, we are given this beautiful promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Notice that John doesn’t merely say God forgives us. He says God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. Why? Because that’s who He is, and it’s in His love for us and in His nature and character to do so.

Paul echoes this same truth in Colossians 2:13–14, reminding us that God has forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us and nailing it to the cross. His promise of forgiveness was not partial. It was complete because Jesus went all the way to the cross for us, not just partway. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Christ offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). His sacrifice was sufficient. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing needs to be repeated. Because Jesus kept His promise, you and I no longer have to live under the weight and burdens of guilt or wonder if He has somehow not heard our prayers.

Even today, memories from my past occasionally come to mind. But they no longer define me. Instead, they remind me of a God who always does exactly what He says He will do. The same God who promised forgiveness forgave me. The same God who promised eternal life gave it to me. The same God who promised never to leave me has remained faithful every step of my journey.

After all these years, I still hear those three precious words echoing in my heart:

“I already have.” What a comfort to know that our God is, and always will be, our faithful Promise Keeper.

And looking back now, I realize the God who invited me to “Call to Me” (Jeremiah 33:3) was already waiting with grace, forgiveness, and the promise of a brand-new life. He was faithful then, and He is still faithful today. 

And, as a side note: Speaking of those old memories, the enemy is often the one who brings them up to try to condemn and shame me. But NO MORE! I’ve learned to immediately stop to pray and intercede for the person or persons involved in that memory. And now, after all these years, I pray for their children and their children’s children and their children, always praying God’s Word over all of them. 

He’s just a whispered prayer away, my sister. All you and I need to do is cry out to Him. 

Barbie Morgan Sheffield

Barbie Morgan Sheffield is a Jesus lover, Certified Elite Kingdom Life Coach for Women, Women’s Bible Study Teacher, Conference Speaker, and Author who has walked through childhood abandonment, an alcoholic stepfather, addiction, a “misspent youth,” a “horribly misguided” adulthood, chronic illnesses (including cancer), and has emerged on the other side as a living testimony of God’s transforming power. She doesn’t just speak about redemption and God’s grace. She’s lived it.